Library names new director

(Press Staff Photo by C.P. Thompson)Ken Dayer peruses a book at the Silver City Public Library. Dayer was just named the new director of the library.

The Silver City Public Library went with a familiar face for the director’s position in Ken Dayer, who has served most recently as the assistant director and public services manager.

“I understand how a library functions,” said Dayer, who has been with the library since May 2011. “I love helping people and I get satisfaction. I feel like I know the community and I can serve their needs.”

The library director’s position became vacant in June when former Director Eileen Sullivan — who had been director for seven years — left for a position leading Los Alamos’ library system.

Before arriving in Silver City, Dayer worked for local libraries in Arkansas for 15 years, serving as a supervisor and branch manager in North Little Rock for three years, and before that as public services manager.

In 2011, he was hired by the Silver City Public Library as the adult services librarian before becoming the public services manager a year later. In that position, he oversaw library staff, student workers and volunteers.

Library Clerk Virginia McIntyre had a scare when the director position was opened, but was relieved when Dayer took the spot.

“When the position was advertised, I was worried about the comfort level in the library if they hired someone from elsewhere,” she said. “Dayer is perfect for the position. He knows the library inside and out. He is available to the staff all the time and helps them with problems. He observes everything and is genuinely kind.”

Dayer graduated from the University of Arkansas Little Rock with a Master of Arts degree in public history with an emphasis on archival/special collections management. He got his master’s in library science from the University of North Texas in 2008.

Moving forward, Dayer plans to continue the work of Sullivan, and bring in more technology.

“Eileen’s goal was to make the library a modern library,” he said. “We are still behind in some areas, but it’s a process.”

“He is a technology expert,” said McIntyre. “We will benefit from the decisions he makes. He has new ideas we would like to implement.”

In the next year or two — if the budget allows — Dayer would like to make more electronic books and databases available to the public.

“We get an increase in numbers with these every month,” he said. “We have a lot of databases and I would like to add more — especially language and learning databases.”

For those who just want to sit and enjoy a good old-fashioned book in a comfy seat, Dayer is thinking of adding more comfortable furniture to the library as well as charging stations for laptop and tablet users.

“Ken has worked hard behind the scenes to keep the library running smoothly,” said Programming and Outreach Librarian Lillian Galloway in a news release. “Former Director Eileen Sullivan helped build an effective library team, and together we have accomplished much. We’ve been able to innovate and offer more valuable services to support the community. I’m excited to continue this work with Ken as our new director.”

Outside of work, Dayer is an avid birder who is active in the local ornithological community, and enjoys hiking and wildlife photography.